We had a great experience on our tour. The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable giving lots of information on the whales.
The 3 hour trip was a wonderful experience and we highly recommend to anyone.
3Hr Go Whale Watching Express Cruise
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Duration: 3hr 15min
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About
This 3-hour whale watching express cruise departs from King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour, taking you from the calm waters of Sydney Harbour out through Sydney Heads and into the open ocean in search of migrating whales. With multiple departures running through the day, it is a guaranteed-sightings encounter guided by an experienced crew who share live commentary as the search unfolds.
The Whale Watching Express Experience
Cruise under the Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House before heading through Sydney Heads and into the Pacific Ocean. As you follow the coastline, the crew shares fascinating commentary about the annual whale migration, explaining why thousands of Humpback Whales pass Sydney each year and what to look for once they're spotted.
When whales are found, the purpose-built catamaran slows to a respectful viewing distance, giving you the chance to watch these magnificent creatures in action. Depending on the day, you may see dramatic breaches, powerful tail slaps, spy hopping, fluke-up dives, pectoral fin waves and the unmistakable burst of a whale's spout as it surfaces to breathe.
You may also encounter Southern Right and Minke Whales, playful dolphins riding the bow wave, Australian fur seals basking on offshore rocks, sea turtles surfacing for air and seabirds diving for fish.
With four spacious viewing decks, the vessel offers excellent vantage points wherever the action unfolds. On the return ride, unwind with complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits as you cruise back into Sydney Harbour.
Who Is This Cruise Best Suited For
Perfect for guests who are short on time, this whale watching express cruise focuses purely on whale watching. Multiple departures each day and a whale sighting guarantee make it a convenient, low-risk choice.
The Whale Watching Express Experience
Cruise under the Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House before heading through Sydney Heads and into the Pacific Ocean. As you follow the coastline, the crew shares fascinating commentary about the annual whale migration, explaining why thousands of Humpback Whales pass Sydney each year and what to look for once they're spotted.
When whales are found, the purpose-built catamaran slows to a respectful viewing distance, giving you the chance to watch these magnificent creatures in action. Depending on the day, you may see dramatic breaches, powerful tail slaps, spy hopping, fluke-up dives, pectoral fin waves and the unmistakable burst of a whale's spout as it surfaces to breathe.
You may also encounter Southern Right and Minke Whales, playful dolphins riding the bow wave, Australian fur seals basking on offshore rocks, sea turtles surfacing for air and seabirds diving for fish.
With four spacious viewing decks, the vessel offers excellent vantage points wherever the action unfolds. On the return ride, unwind with complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits as you cruise back into Sydney Harbour.
Who Is This Cruise Best Suited For
Perfect for guests who are short on time, this whale watching express cruise focuses purely on whale watching. Multiple departures each day and a whale sighting guarantee make it a convenient, low-risk choice.
- 3hr whale watching express cruise from Darling Harbour
- Live commentary from experienced crew
- See whales in action on their migratory journey
- Cruise past the Harbour Bridge & Opera House en route to the open ocean
- Complimentary tea, coffee & a biscuit on the return journey
- Whale sightings guarantee; free return cruise if none are spotted
- Meal not included; BYO allowed
- Whale sightings guaranteed; if no whales are sighted, you get a free return cruise valid for 3 years
- Cruise past the Harbour Bridge and Opera House before heading out through Sydney Heads in search of migrating whales
- Multiple daily departures make it easy to fit a whale watching adventure around the rest of your Sydney day
- Adult $85
- Child $65
- Family $250
King Street Wharf 6 and 7, The Promenade, Darling Harbour (runs parallel to Lime Street, directly in front of the Malaya Restaurant)
- Departures
- 08:15 – 8:30am (return 11:30am)
- 11:30 – 11:45am (return 2:45pm)
- 02:45 – 3:00pm (return 6:00pm, Sat & Sun only)
- Check-in: King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour
- Departure: Welcome and safety briefing from the crew as the cruise gets underway
- En Route: Cruise through Sydney Harbour, taking in the Harbour Bridge and Opera House
- En Route: Exit through Sydney Heads into the open ocean; the whale search begins
- At Sea: Once whales are found, enjoy viewing time with live crew commentary
- En Route: Return cruise into the harbour, with complimentary tea, coffee and biscuit
- Return: Disembark at Darling Harbour
- Food not included and not available for purchase on board
- Parking & transport to King Street Wharf
- Cancellation requests must be submitted via email to help@australiancruisegroup.com.au
- Refunds, where applicable, will be processed to the original payment method.
- No correspondence will be entertained for cancellations made after the free-cancellation period.
- A ‘no-show’ refers to any confirmed passenger who fails to board the vessel prior to scheduled departure. Please note, we make every effort to ensure our cruises depart on time. It is highly recommended that all passengers are ready for boarding 15 minutes prior to the stated time.
- An individual booking is defined as all bookings having less than 10 passengers on a single E-ticket. Individual bookings require full payment at time of booking.
- Up to 4 days prior: Full refund
- Within 3 days: 100% cancellation fee
- Group bookings are defined as all bookings for 10 or more passengers on a single E-ticket. Group bookings can be made with a partial payment of 20% as deposit. The balance amount must be paid 7 days before the cruise date.
- Up to 7 days prior: Full refund
- Within 6 days: 100% cancellation fee
Not wheelchair accessible — boarding requires walking and climbing stairs
Am I guaranteed to see whales?
While whales are wild animals and sightings can't be promised on any single tour, this cruise comes with a Whale Sightings Guaranteed policy; if none are spotted, you can join another whale watching cruise free of charge within 3 years. This is not exchangeable for a refund.
How close will the boat get to the whales?
Boats are required by law to stay at least 100 metres from an adult whale. Humpbacks are curious and often approach closer of their own accord, occasionally close enough that the boat can't move, known as a ‘mugging’, though this doesn't happen on every tour.
What types of whales might I see?
Most tours sight Humpback Whales, though Southern Right, Bryde's, Sei, Minke and blue whales are also possible. Dolphins, seals and turtles are regularly spotted too. Orcas are an occasional rare sighting.
Is food included?
No. This tour does not include food, and none is sold on board; guests are welcome to bring their own. Complimentary tea, coffee and a biscuit are served on the return cruise.
Will the boat still go out if it's raining?
Tours are weather-dependent based on wind strength, swell and visibility rather than rain alone. Very heavy rain that affects visibility may impact the tour.
Is there wheelchair access?
Unfortunately, no. Boarding requires guests to walk and climb stairs.
Will I get seasick?
The cruise heads into the open ocean, so some movement is normal even on calm days. If you don't go to sea regularly, it's worth speaking to a pharmacist about seasickness prevention beforehand.
Will I see whales breaching?
Breaching can't be guaranteed; whales are wild animals, and the crew observes them respectfully rather than trying to provoke specific behaviour. What you see on the day is entirely up to the whales.
Is this cruise suitable for young children or pregnant guests?
Children of any age are welcome with a valid ticket and must be accompanied by an adult, though this tour isn't recommended for very young children given the open-ocean conditions. Pregnancy increases the likelihood of seasickness, so guests are encouraged to check with their healthcare provider beforehand.
Where can I park near King Street Wharf?
City parking is in demand, so it's worth allowing extra time or pre-booking a space through providers such as Wilson Parking or Secure Parking, searching for ‘King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour.’
While whales are wild animals and sightings can't be promised on any single tour, this cruise comes with a Whale Sightings Guaranteed policy; if none are spotted, you can join another whale watching cruise free of charge within 3 years. This is not exchangeable for a refund.
How close will the boat get to the whales?
Boats are required by law to stay at least 100 metres from an adult whale. Humpbacks are curious and often approach closer of their own accord, occasionally close enough that the boat can't move, known as a ‘mugging’, though this doesn't happen on every tour.
What types of whales might I see?
Most tours sight Humpback Whales, though Southern Right, Bryde's, Sei, Minke and blue whales are also possible. Dolphins, seals and turtles are regularly spotted too. Orcas are an occasional rare sighting.
Is food included?
No. This tour does not include food, and none is sold on board; guests are welcome to bring their own. Complimentary tea, coffee and a biscuit are served on the return cruise.
Will the boat still go out if it's raining?
Tours are weather-dependent based on wind strength, swell and visibility rather than rain alone. Very heavy rain that affects visibility may impact the tour.
Is there wheelchair access?
Unfortunately, no. Boarding requires guests to walk and climb stairs.
Will I get seasick?
The cruise heads into the open ocean, so some movement is normal even on calm days. If you don't go to sea regularly, it's worth speaking to a pharmacist about seasickness prevention beforehand.
Will I see whales breaching?
Breaching can't be guaranteed; whales are wild animals, and the crew observes them respectfully rather than trying to provoke specific behaviour. What you see on the day is entirely up to the whales.
Is this cruise suitable for young children or pregnant guests?
Children of any age are welcome with a valid ticket and must be accompanied by an adult, though this tour isn't recommended for very young children given the open-ocean conditions. Pregnancy increases the likelihood of seasickness, so guests are encouraged to check with their healthcare provider beforehand.
Where can I park near King Street Wharf?
City parking is in demand, so it's worth allowing extra time or pre-booking a space through providers such as Wilson Parking or Secure Parking, searching for ‘King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour.’
- Arrive 20 minutes prior to departure with booking details ready on your phone
- Dress warmly as it's colder in the open ocean
- Bring a hat and sun protection
- Wear flat, comfortable shoes
- No food or drinks are sold on board; guests may bring their own
- All children must be accompanied by an adult and require a valid ticket
- Guests prone to seasickness, or who are pregnant, may wish to consult a pharmacist or healthcare provider beforehand
- Tours operate in all weather except extreme conditions; cancellations are based on wind, swell and visibility rather than rain alone
- These Terms and Conditions set out the terms on which you (on behalf of yourself and any person on whose behalf you are booking, together "you" or "your") book through Australian Cruise Group Pty Ltd ABN 89 152 554 302 (referred to as, we, us and our, in these Terms and Conditions) for all bookings, reservations, products and cruises operated by us including Sydney Showboats, Magistic Cruises, Clearview Cruises Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruises, Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruises, Vivid Sydney Cruises, Sydney Christmas Party Cruises, Sydney New Year’s Eve Cruises, and any other cruises, websites, operations or entities operated by us. These Terms and Conditions constitute the agreement between you and us.
- Full payment is required at the time of booking for all scheduled and special event cruises. Click here to read the Cancellation Policies that apply to the respective cruises.
- A ‘Book with Deposit’ option is available for online group bookings (6 or more guests) on select scheduled cruises, provided the cruise date is more than 10 days from the booking date.
- For partially paid bookings, the balance payment must be settled 7 days prior to the cruise date. Bookings not settled by the due date will be automatically cancelled and the deposit forfeited.
- Online group discounts are applicable on select cruises throughout the year, excluding the periods from 1 November to 1 January and 20 May to 15 June.
- Group bookings (10 guests or more): The guest has a choice to pay 20% deposit to confirm the booking, if the cruise date is more than 21 days in advance. The customer must confirm the final number of guests 7 days prior to the cruise date and are required a full and final payment 21 days prior to the cruise. Credit will be issued for any reduction in final passenger numbers up to 7 days prior to the cruise date.
- Change cruise date (transfer your booking): Any request to transfer a booking to another date must be made 72 hours prior to the cruise date. Such transfer of bookings are subject to availability of seats at the same price for the new cruise date. If the price is higher for the new cruise date, you will be required to pay the difference in addition to the minimum transfer fee.
- Transfer fee: There is a $10 per person minimum transfer fee will apply. New Year’s Eve cruise tickets cannot be transferred to a different date.
- All passengers including the infants must be manifested for safety and security reasons. Un-manifested guests will be refused boarding.
- All cruise fares are quoted in Australian Dollars and include Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST).
- We reserve the right, if we consider necessary (for example, due to mechanical breakdown, for safety reasons or weather conditions), to substitute vessels without notice (including any vessels of a third party), deviate from a vessels advertised route, change any menu, service, schedule, program, performance or cruise fare. We will endeavour to provide a similar quality vessel, route, menu, service, schedule, program, performance or cruise fare (as the case may be) in these circumstances. In such circumstances, we will not be liable for your direct or indirect loss, or to refund any fares or portions of fares, nor will we be liable for any other damage, loss, expense, loss of time, disappointment, inconvenience, or any other consequential loss suffered by you.
- Requests from our guests for dietary requirements (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free), substitutions and modifications of menus on board our cruises will be politely declined, as our kitchen team prepares the meals in our onboard kitchens. As we cater for large number of guests in a relatively small meal time, it is not practical for us to accommodate to such requests within the given time frame. All of our cruises have at least on vegetarian menu option for seated & served menus. Banquet/buffet menus also offer vegetarian choice. We cannot guarantee that certain products or ingredients (nuts, gluten, diary, etc.) will not be in our food, and we explicitly accept no liability in this regard. For serious food allergies you must make own decisions on selecting meals. Our staff’s comments are only to assist you in making an informed decision. In exceptional circumstances, with our prior written consent you (or one of your guests) may bring your own meal.
- Our cruises operate on busy waterways and are subject to the risks and perils of cruising on such waterways including loss, damage and injury arising out of or in connection with changing tidal and weather conditions and the navigation of other craft. To the extent permissible by law, we will not be responsible in tort, contract or otherwise for any loss or damage arising out of injury or death sustained by you or any other passenger, howsoever arising and whether or not arising as a result of our negligence or failure to render due care and skill. You enter into this agreement and book and travel on our cruises at your own risk. If however any guarantees, terms, conditions or warranties are implied into this agreement by any law of the Commonwealth or New South Wales, the exclusion of which would contravene that law or cause part or all of this clause to be void, then to the extent permissible by law:
(a) We exclude all other guarantees, terms, conditions and warranties; and
(b) Our liability for breach of such guarantee, term, condition or warranty is limited to the supply of the relevant cruise again or the cost of re-supplying the cruise. - We exclude all liability for any loss or damage to clothing or personal items/belongings howsoever arising and whether or not our liability arises in tort, contract or otherwise.
- Some of the tours, products and cruises we operate may be considered dangerous and you should be aware of the risks involved before participating, which may include injury or death. Where the tours, products and cruises include activities that could be considered dangerous, you assume all of the inherent risks which are applicable to those activities. Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude you from participating in activities and you are responsible for confirming your ability to participate. You must use caution when participating in activities and inform us of any medical or other conditions.
- It is a condition of this agreement that any claim for loss or damage must be notified to us in writing within seven (7) days from the day the cruise finishes, and any court action, suit or proceeding must be brought no later than one (1) year from the same day. If you fail to comply with either of these conditions, we will be forever discharged from all claims, suits, actions and/or proceedings relating to or arising out of or in any way connected with the cruise and we will be discharged from all liability whatsoever, including any liability for negligence.
- We may contract or arrange for third parties to provide the whole or part of the cruise and any related services to you. You must not bring any claims or actions against such third parties. If you bring such a claim or action in breach of this agreement, you agree to indemnify us and the person against whom the claim or action is made against the consequences of that claim or action. You agree that in entering into this agreement, we are acting as the agent of and trustee for each of our employees, officers, agents and subcontractors, and each of these persons is deemed to be a party to the contract for the purpose of entitling each of them to enforce, have the benefit of and rely upon these Terms and Conditions.
- We strictly do not permit any alcohol to be brought on board for consumption. Any discussions with our representatives should not be construed as an acceptance to bring alcohol of any nature on board for any event or function. In line with our Responsible Service of Alcohol policy, such requests will be refused politely.
- You must not bring any alcohol or illegal substances onto the vessel. We reserve the right to refuse you entry to the vessel, or to require you to disembark from the vessel, including due to your intoxication or for the safety of other passengers or the vessel.
- This agreement is to be governed by and is to be construed in accordance with the laws in force in New South Wales. Any action, claim, suit or proceeding arising out of or connected in any way with this agreement or the cruise will only be brought in the Courts of New South Wales.
- If any of these provisions are unenforceable, this shall not affect the enforceability of any other part of the provision or any other provision. In the event of inconsistency between these Terms and Conditions and any other terms, these Terms and Conditions will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. No waiver or variation of this agreement will have binding effect unless such waiver or agreement is in writing and signed by us.
